Gary Shutouts Salina, 2-0, to Complete Doubleheader Sweep

Gary-South-Shore-RailcatsThe Gary SouthShore RailCats (37-28) used a two-hit shutout to complete the day-night doubleheader sweep over the Salina Stockade on Thursday. Gary scored the game’s only runs in the seventh and have now won three consecutive games.

Kris Goodman drew a bases-loaded walk to make it 1-0 in favor of the RailCats before Cole Fabio recorded his first professional RBI on a groundout to the left side to conclude the scoring in the nightcap of the doubleheader. Cameron Newell was hit in the back to begin the inning before advancing to second on a Randy Santiesteban walk Colin Willis advanced Newell to third with a flyout to right-center before Wilfredo Gimenez followed up with a 15-pitch walk to load the bases.

Jake Matthys pitched five scoreless innings for the RailCats in his first start of the season. The rookie allowed one hit and struck out a career-high seven. After surrendering a leadoff double to Aaron Olivas in the first inning, Matthys retired 15 straight before getting pulled after the fifth.

The RailCats only recorded two hits on the evening, and neither of them factored into the scoring in the ballgame. Kris Goodman singled to lead off the third and Alex Crosby singled to lead off the eighth. The Stockade’s two hits in the ballgame were separated by over eight innings. After Olivas’ leadoff double, it was not until Kewby Meyer’s two-out bloop single in the ninth that Salina recorded a hit.

Jorge De Leon (6-1) was awarded the victory for the Railcats as he threw two scoreless innings in the seventh and eighth innings. Drasen Johnson (7) struck out two in the ninth inning to record the save for the RailCats.

Salina’s Brian Smith (1-10) pitched suffered the loss despite pitching very well. Smith only allowed two earned runs on one hit, walked three, and struck out five. Smith never faced more than four batters in an inning and set the RailCats down in order four times.

Gary and Salina conclude their four-game series on Friday night at 7:10 p.m. Gary has yet to announce their starter while right-hander Josh Hodges (1-3, 8.16) makes his sixth start of the year for the Stockade.

Friday’s game is Fast & Furious and another Fifth Third Bank Fireworks Extravaganza. Experience RailCats baseball a quarter of a mile at a time! Make sure you’re here as the sights and sounds of the ballpark pay homage to the blockbuster movie series. Bring the whole family to the Steel Yard with this one time only special: four tickets, four hot dogs, and four sodas for only $25.00. Remember to stick around after the game for our explosive on-field fireworks show, presented by Fifth Third Bank.

Jared Shlensky and Austin Anderson bring you all 100 RailCats games this season on WEFM (95.9FM) and online at railcatsbaseball.com. Fans can purchase tickets for RailCats home games by calling (219) 882-BALL or online at railcatsbaseball.com. The RailCats box office is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.